Vincent Vitale

After a period of declining health, Vincent Vitale Jr. entered eternal life while at home on Sunday, April 11, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Verona, NJ, June 1, 1931 to Rose Calvano and Vincent Vitale. His family moved to North Carolina in 1946, where he later graduated from Elon College with a B.A. in chemistry. He began service in the Army in 1952, graduating Officers Candidate School achieving rank of Lieutenant, and serving in the Korean War. Upon completing his tour of duty he returned to North Carolina and met his soul mate, Anne Broadhurst at a state college. They were married November 28, 1957.

He and his wife embarked on the first of many adventures, moving to Reno, Nevada in 1958. Vincent graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a M.S. in biochemistry, and his thesis was internationally published.

Vincent was sought after to establish and direct a new crime lab for Washoe County Sheriff Department and Northern Nevada where he was a deputized criminalist. In 1980 they moved to Ventura where he worked in the Ventura County Crime Lab for the next 16 years as a Firearms and Tool Mark Examiner, and served on the Arson Task Force.

Vincent was a member of numerous scientific organizations including Sigma Xi, Association of North West Forensic Scientists, Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners, and was a charter member of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors. He was also involved with Nevada Boys State and the Boy Scouts of America.

Vincent enjoyed many outdoor activities, including hunting, trap and skeet shooting, scuba diving and swimming. He also took pleasure in fencing, opera, classical music, the performing arts, traveling and spending time with his grandchildren.

Vincent was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Lawrence Vitale, of New Jersey.

He is survived by his wife and soul mate, Anne; son, Vincent III, his wife, Tiffany, and their children, Gabrielle and Anthony, all of Cranston, Rhode Island; and his son, Michael, and wife, Kacy, of Thousand Oaks, as well as many friends and family. Vincent will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Vincent’s name to the Boy Scouts of America, St. Jude Children’s Hospital or a charitable organization of your choosing.

A memorial service will be held 3 p.m., Friday, April 16, 2010, at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura, with the Reverend Steve Davoren of Our Lady of the Assumption Church officiating. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, will occur on a later date.

Please view the Vitale family’s memorial and sign the guest book at www.tedmayrfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, Ventura.